The Thunder defied expectations this past season, but based on remarks made by Sam Presti and Billy Donovan’s departure, it stands to reason that the club won’t be running it back in 2020-21.
Thanks in large part to his leading the Thunder as a gang of overachievers, Chris Paul’s trade value has been revitalized to the point that many teams — the New York Knicks among them — are believed to be interested in the point guard’s services.
There’s been some speculation that the Milwaukee Bucks — fresh off of an uninspiring second-round loss to the Miami Heat — could be interested, as well.
Paul is seen as the biggest domino, but his being traded could be could just be the beginning of a busy offseason in Oklahoma City that began with Donovan and the franchise going separate ways.
As a result, Dennis Schroder has now become the subject of some trade speculation of his own.
At 27 years old, Schroder has the right mix of youth and experience and has proven quite capable as a combo guard. He is entering the final year of a four-year extension that will see him earn $15.5 million for the 2020-21 season, meaning that he’d be relatively easy to move.
If the Bucks aren’t able to meet the Thunder’s asking price for Paul, could Schroder make some sense for them?
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, one of the most plugged-in media members around, pondered that same question aloud on his Hoops Collective podcast.
“An interesting option to me for a perimeter player, especially if the Thunder are indeed willing to break down would be Dennis Schroder. I think he’d be good for them, but I don’t know where Schroder and [Mike Budenholzer] left it in Atlanta.”
Kevin Arnovitz, Windhorst’s guest, agreed that Schroder could make sense for Milwaukee and further offered that he was a “favorite” in Atlanta.
Meanwhile, after parting ways with Brett Brown, the Sixers are another team expected to shake things up this summer. Christopher Kline of TheSixerSense.com is the latest among a growing contingent of Sixers media that opine that Schroder could make sense as a backcourt mate for Ben Simmons.
Schroder would check quite a few boxes. He’s a reliable shot creator on the perimeter — a crafty ball-handler who can maneuver his way to pull-up jumpers or slick finishes at the rim…
Schroder could rejoin the starting ranks in Philadelphia. His decision-making can get erratic during some stretches, but he gives the Sixers a much-needed boost of shot-making, as well as someone who can break down the halfcourt defense.
At this point, theoretical trades that land Paul or Schroder elsewhere should only be considered ideas… But anyone who knows Sam Presti knows that he has probably already begun contemplating the immediate future of his franchise.
Few would be surprised if both Paul and Schroder ended up playing their final games for the Thunder.